# Bourbon Drinkers, Advice Please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [July 10, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924 "2008-07-10T01:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/41 "2008-07-11T13:47:51Z")
If any of you are in Kentucky (or along the border on our contiguous states) you can catch up on your bourbon history by watching [Bourbon and Kentucky: A History Distilled](http://www.ket.org/pressroom/2008/27/kboky_.html), a new documentary we’re airing. Possibly it will eventually be viewable online, but since we didn’t produce it, I can’t say for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/42 "2008-07-11T15:57:23Z")
Here are a few I haven’t seen mentioned that you should look for: Noah’s Mill - A slendid small-batch Kentucky Bourbon that comes in at 114 proof, so drink it carefuuly. Extraordinary character and smoothness. Black Maple Hill - a very nice small batch Kentucky Bourbon with just the right undertones of vanilla. Excellent for cocktails. Michter’s US #1 - wonderful for sipping neat. A bit of pepper flavor underneath the sweet corn which dominates. If you can find a store carrying the Michter’s and Black Maple Hill brands, I also highly recommend the ryes made by both. Michter’s 10-year old single barrel rye is amazingly good whiskey, and Black Maple Hill 23 year-old rye is the grandest thing I’ve ever tasted! Michter’s also makes an “American Whiskey.” Same mash as their bourbon, but not aged in NEW oak barrells, as is required by law to call a whiskey “bourbon.” It’s aged in old oak barrels which gives it a complexity I find very interesting. And put me down in the column of those who love Blanton’s! ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/43 "2008-07-11T18:32:41Z")
Since my stimulus check just arrived yesterday, I’ve been taking notes on this thread for my next trip to the local import shop. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/44 "2008-07-11T18:36:23Z")
And while it wasn’t on the OP’s list, I have a bottle of Evan Williams 12-year that’s hard to figure out. The initial taste is a bit harsh, but at the end of it I’m always left with the feeling that I’ve had a very fine drink. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/45 "2008-07-11T20:46:54Z")
I just got back from a supply run where, in addition to the usual stuff, I found…4 Roses Small Batch! This stuff is only sold in Japan and Kentucky, supposedly. Don’t know what it was doing in Southern California, but a bottle now resides in the liquor cabinet, to be cracked and tried this evening. I’ll be back with an evaluation then. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/46 "2008-07-11T20:51:16Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] I just got back from a supply run where, in addition to the usual stuff, I found…4 Roses Small Batch! This stuff is only sold in Japan and Kentucky, supposedly. Don’t know what it was doing in Southern California, but a bottle now resides in the liquor cabinet, to be cracked and tried this evening. I’ll be back with an evaluation then. [/QUOTE] NO WAY. I am totally jealous. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/47 "2008-07-11T20:52:50Z")
Way. Liquorama in Upland. They have the Yellow Label, the Small Batch, and the Single Barrel. All at very reasonable prices. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/48 "2008-07-11T21:27:02Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Way. Liquorama in Upland. They have the Yellow Label, the Small Batch, and the Single Barrel. All at very reasonable prices. [/QUOTE] Gah, Upland is so far away. Hmm, I wonder what I can tell the missus to convince her that a drive to Upland is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/49 "2008-07-11T22:09:02Z")
Well, [The Hat](http://www.thehat.com/) is just a few blocks away from Liquorama… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/50 "2008-07-12T01:51:06Z")
4 Roses Small Batch Review Different. Bourbon, but with characteristics of a blended whisky. Fairly light color, with a spicy nose. Mint, and a touch of BBQ sauce, actually. Nice burn, but very balanced. A middling creamy midline, and a clean finish. My guess is a fairly heavy rye presence in the grain bill of at least one of the bourbons in this baby. Fruity, spicy. Not a bad tipple at all. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/51 "2008-07-12T02:46:33Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] 4 Roses Small Batch Review Different. Bourbon, but with characteristics of a blended whisky. Fairly light color, with a spicy nose. Mint, and a touch of BBQ sauce, actually. Nice burn, but very balanced. A middling creamy midline, and a clean finish. My guess is a fairly heavy rye presence in the grain bill of at least one of the bourbons in this baby. Fruity, spicy. Not a bad tipple at all. [/QUOTE] Nice. I like a bit of rye, but havn’t had a chance to try something that is REALLY rye heavy. Sounds wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/52 "2008-07-15T22:00:45Z")
In case anyone is interested, these are the bourbons I sampled, ranked in order of preference. I would have replied sooner, but I just woke up. 😃 Blanton’s Single Barrel Wild Turkey Rare Breed Booker’s 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Gentleman Jack Baker’s Rock Hill Farm Single Barrel Jefferson’s Reserve I REALLY liked the Blanton’s. I enjoyed all of the others, except the Jefferson’s, which I thought was weak. It was a very hot day, so I had a few beers too, to cool off ya know, so I sampled fewer bourbons than planned. All in all, it was a great festival. On top of that, my bottle of Buffalo Trace arrived today. Now, all I need is some bacon and a goat… ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/53 "2008-07-15T23:22:31Z")
Life is good, innit? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![usar\_jag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@usar\_jag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usar_jag)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/54 "2008-07-16T15:53:18Z")
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee] In case anyone is interested, these are the bourbons I sampled, ranked in order of preference… Blanton’s Single Barrel [/QUOTE] Even though I don’t know you, Southern Yankee, it always makes me happy when someone gets enjoyment out of food or drink that I recommend… Glad you liked it! Oh, and I am very, very jealous of your experience… ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/55 "2008-07-16T16:39:53Z")
I completely agree with your top choice. Love the Blanton’s. Luckily for me, my bourbon drinking mother does not like it, so I was able to trade her my bottle of Knob Creek for her’s of Blanton’s. I think I made out great. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![usar\_jag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@usar\_jag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usar_jag)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924/56 "2008-07-16T18:25:23Z")
[QUOTE=Necros] I completely agree with your top choice. Love the Blanton’s. Luckily for me, my bourbon drinking mother does not like it, so I was able to trade her my bottle of Knob Creek for her’s of Blanton’s. I think I made out great. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Dude, you’re supposed to love your mom!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-drinkers-advice-please/455924.md?page=2)